Lucy Harrison
28 March 2024
The Revd Aron Donaldson, previously Assistant Curate of The Corby Glen Parishes, Diocese of Lincon, will be licensed as Hospital Chaplain at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, within the Diocese of Derby, on Tuesday, 9 April 2024 at 5pm in the Bishop’s Chapel Duffield by the Bishop of Derby.
The Revd Margaret Slyfield’s licensing as Assistant Curate (Associate Priest-SSM) in the parishes of Chelmorton, Earl Sterndale and Taddington, within the benefice of The White Peak Group, Diocese of Derby, was postponed from Sunday, 14 January 2024. Margaret was licensed on Tuesday, 19 March 2024 at Repton House by the Bishop of Repton.
21 March 2024
The Revd Richard (Dick) Dove, Assistant Curate (Deanery Interim Minister-SSM) of the former deanery of Chesterfield (now part of North East Derbyshire), Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Dick’s last day in post will be Monday, 1 April 2024, with his retirement taking effect from Tuesday, 2 April 2024.
The Revd John (Howard) Robson will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Fairfield, Peak Forest and Dove Holes, Diocese of Derby, on Friday, 24 May 2024 at 7.00 pm at St Peter’s Fairfield by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
The Revd Alan Winfield, Assistant Curate (SSM) of Melbourne, Smisby, Stanton-by-Bridge and Ticknall, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Assistant Curate (Associate Priest-SSM) of the same benefice.
14 March 2024
The Revd Michael (Mike) Gilbert, Rector of Baslow and Eyam and Area Dean of Peak, Diocese of Derby, will resign as Area Dean of Peak on Sunday, 31 March 2024.
The Revd Dr David Mundy, Priest-in-Charge of Glossop, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Acting Area Dean of Peak. David will take up this appointment from Monday, 1 April 2024.
The Revd Emma Mallord, Assistant Curate in Littleover and Blagreaves, Diocese of Derby, has also been appointed Assistant Curate of Findern in the same diocese. Emma will start in her new post on Saturday, 29 June 2024, the day of her priesting at Derby Cathedral.
The Revd Frank Startin, Assistant Curate (Associate Priest-SSM) of Stapenhill Immanuel, Diocese of Derby, has announced his retirement. Frank’s last day in post will be Sunday, 31 March 2024 with his first day of retirement being Monday, 1 April 2024.
7 March 2024
The Revd Adele Barker, interim Priest-in-Charge of the White Peak Group and interim Priest-in-Charge of Youlgreave, Middleton, Stanton-in-Peak and Birchover, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Chaplain to the Bishop of Derby in the same diocese. Adele will start in post on Wednesday, 1 May 2024, being licensed on Thursday, 9 May 2024 by the Bishop of Derby.
The Revd Sam Mackie, Assistant Curate of Swadlincote and Hartshorne, of Newhall and of Gresley (known as Swadlincote Minster), Diocese of Derby, will transfer their curacy and become Assistant Curate in the East Scarsdale Team Ministry in the same diocese. Sam will be licensed on Tuesday 26th March at 6.30 pm at Repton House by the Bishop of Repton.
16/11/23: This page is currently being updated, please forward any enquiries to matt.barnes@derby.anglican.org
On Monday 3 July, Derby Cathedral school held an official opening and blessing ceremony for their new building on Great Northern Road, Derby.
The ceremony featured music and readings from students and those who have been involved in the creation of the school.
Dean Peter gave a reflection on the relationship between the Cathedral and the school and the how important that is for the whole community.
Students have also created a time capsule full of reflections of their time at the school.
The service ended with the new school prayer which has been written by the student FAITH ambassador group.
Interim Director of Education, Carolyn Lewis said: “I was delighted to attend the official opening and blessing ceremony of Derby Cathedral School on 3 July. The school is particularly special being the first secondary school in our family of 111 Church of England schools in the Diocese of Derby. Since opening its doors in 2018, the school has grown admitting additional year groups annually. This September, the school will open its new Sixth Form and make headlines for being the only Church of England Sixth Form in the country.”
Christ Church, Hulland has been awarded a silver Eco Church award. Below are a few of the main initiatives undertaken in the five areas of church life that helped them achieve the award.
Worship
- Worship leaders followed the Green Lectionary during Creationtide.
- Messy Church Goes Wild had an outdoors nature scavenger hunt and an indoor session reflecting on creation.
- In Great Big Green Week, we presented ‘What is Eco Church?’ to our Mothers’ Union branch, followed by an eco- quiz.
The Church building
- We calculated the carbon footprint of our church in 2022 and agreed to attempt yearly improvements in energy efficiency.
- We continued with a recycling collection point for medication blister packs in the porch.
The Churchyard
- We had a ‘Churches Count on Nature’ event in June –see photo. Interested members of the church & community surveyed the churchyard on 2 occasions. We identified 110 species of plants and animals. Our records were sent to the National Biodiversity database.
- We installed a 3rd bird box and 2 bird feeders.
- We continued to manage the Conservation Area for nature as well as people.
Lifestyle
- Our church email and weekly Pews News regularly included items relating to caring for God’s earth and eco-tips towards a sustainable lifestyle.
- We had a Jigsaw Swap Sunday to facilitate re-use of puzzles.
Community and global engagement
- Letters, endorsed by the PCC, were written to our MP and County Councillor asking them to address nature loss and climate change as a priority in their recommendations and decision making.
- We continued to be a Fairtrade church.
- We twinned our toilet with one in Malawi through the Tear Fund scheme.
- We encouraged another church in our Benefice to get started with Eco Church
Penny Northall, Eco-church lead and PCC member said: “I would like to thank our Rector, Rev. Phil Michell, other worship leaders and the PCC for being so supportive in this eco-church endeavour. We are now working towards a gold award.”
30 March
The Revd Rhoda Blackwell will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Newbold, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 at 7.30pm at St John the Evangelist Newbold, by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
Lisa Hall, PA to Bishop Malcolm, the Bishop of Repton, has resigned her post. We wish Lisa success in her future endeavours. Please hold Lisa in your prayers.
23 March
The Revd Neil Barber will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Sinfin St Stephen, Diocese of Derby, on Monday 24th April at 7.30 pm at St Stephen’s Sinfin by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby City and South Derbyshire. The Revd Will Eley will be licensed as Assistant Curate (known as Associate Minister) of Normanton-by-Derby and of Sinfin St Stephen, Diocese of Derby, during the same service.
The Revd Neil Griffiths will be collated as Rector of the Wirksworth Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby, on Thursday 25th May at 7.30 pm at St Mary’s Wirksworth by the Bishop of Derby and inducted by the Acting Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
16 March 2023
A service of thanksgiving for the life of the Revd Tom Comley will be held on Friday, 14 April 2023 at 2.30 pm in Loundsley Green Church (LEP).
The Revd Rhoda Blackwell, Assistant Curate of Newbold, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the same benefice.
Ms Stella Collishaw, Diocesan Community Action Officer and Diocesan Environment Officer, Diocese of Derby, has been appointed Independent Living Coordinator at an Almshouse Complex in Beeston, Nottingham. Stella’s last day in post will be Thursday, 16 March 2023. During the interim please contact Amanda Shreeve: Amanda.Shreeve@derby.anglican.org.
The Revd Mel Hartley, Assistant Curate of Baslow and Eyam, has also been appointed Acting Bishop’s Advisor for Spirituality from Wednesday, 1 March 2023 until Thursday, 31 August 2023.
The Revd Jacqueline Stober, Priest in Charge of Kirk Langley and Mackworth and of Mugginton and Kedleston, and Area Dean for Dove and Derwent Deanery, has been appointed Senior Associate Priest of the parish of Christ Church Cathedral Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
The Venerable Lee Townend will be instituted as Rector of the Dronfield with Holmesfield Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby, on Thursday, 11 May 2023 at 7.30 pm at St John the Baptist Dronfield by the Bishop of Derby assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
9 March 2023
The Revd Tom Comley, Curate of Leadgate St Ives (Diocese of Durham) 1964-1967, Curate of Shirley St James (Diocese of Birmingham) 1967-1971, Vicar of Smethwick St Alban 1971-1976, Permission to Officiate 1976-1982, Vicar of North Wembley St Cuthbert (Diocese of London) 1982-1992, Vicar of Taddington, Chelmorton and Flagg, and Monyash (Diocese of Derby) 1992-2001, who retired in 2001 and held the Bishop of Derby’s Permission to Officiate, died on Thursday, 2 March 2023. Funeral details will follow.
Bishop Libby is pleased to announce that the Venerable Carol Coslett will be appointed Archdeacon Emeritus from Saturday, 1 April 2023.
The Revd Neil Griffiths, Rector of the Colsterworth Group of Churches, Diocese of Lincoln, has been appointed Rector of the Wirksworth Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby.
The Revd Jason Kennedy, Diocesan Missioner, Diocese of Derby, has announced his resignation. Jason’s last working day will be Thursday, 6 April, with his resignation taking effect from Thursday, 20 April 2023. Jason will continue in post as Assistant Curate (SSM - Associate Priest) of Littleover after his resignation.
The Revd Dawn Knight will be licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Cotmanhay and Shipley, Diocese of Derby, on Wednesday, 10 May at 7.30 pm at Christ Church Cotmanhay and Shipley by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Archdeacon of East Derbyshire.
The Revd Nicola McNally will be licensed as interim part-time Priest-in-Charge of ‘The Peak Five’ Benefice (comprising Fenny Bentley, Thorpe, Tissington, Parwich and Alsop-en-le-Dale) and interim part-time Assistant Curate (known as Associate Priest) for Carsington Deanery, Diocese of Derby, on Sunday, 23 July 2023 at 2 pm at St Peter’s Parwich by the Bishop of Repton assisted by the Acting Archdeacon of Derbyshire Peak and Dales.
The Venerable Lee Townend, until recently Archdeacon of Carlisle, Diocese of Carlisle, has, with the Lord Chancellor’s approval, been appointed Rector of the Dronfield with Holmesfield Team Ministry, Diocese of Derby.
St Peter's Church, Littleover and Blagreaves is the latest church in the diocese to have received a bronze Eco Church award.
Just over 12 months ago, Littleover church began the work to become an Eco Church. Starting with a Climate Sunday service the congregation made a total of 99 pledges to each commit to one action that would help take better care of the environment. The church also formed a ‘Creation Care’ mission group with the aim of working together to care for creation in a constructive, positive, and supportive way.
Some of the things the church has done are:
- Planted a wildflower area of the churchyard
- Recycled pill strips
- Spread the message at the local school fair with a ‘splat the landfill’ game
- Shared vegan recipes and food at the church fete.
- Written and shared articles
- Worked with St Peter’s school to enable children to make the best use of pre-loved uniform.
Julie Scott, PCC Secretary said: “The fantastic news is that our church is now officially an ‘Eco Church’ and has achieved a Bronze Award under the scheme. Our survey results show that we have achieved gold level for worship and teaching and bronze level for each of the other four categories, Management of church buildings, Management of church land, Community and global engagement, Lifestyle and this equates to Bronze altogether.”
You can find out more about the Arocha Eco Church project here
15 October 2022 meeting
Download a copy of the report (PDF)
25 June 2022 meeting
Download a copy of the report (PDF)
Derby Cathedral is encouraging parishes, churches and congregations to spread the glow of love and kindness during the festive period by writing a message to be displayed on Derby’s beautiful Tree of Light, which will be in the Cathedral from 3rd December to 6th January.
Messages could be in remembrance of a loved one, a Christmas greeting or a prayer.
To help support the care and work of the cathedral, people of Derby and Derbyshire are invited to write a message and make a donation, keeping the cathedral doors open for welcome and warmth.
Everyone is welcomed to take some time away from the hustle and bustle at this time of year and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Cathedral building for reflection, sanctuary and light.
The Dean of Derby, The Very Revd Peter Robinson said: "At this special time of year, we invite the communities of Derby and Derbyshire to come and enjoy their cathedral and the sparkling Tree of Light.
"Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect, and come together to spread a glow of kindness.
"All are very welcome to share their messages."
The Tree of Light will be available for visitors to see between 3 December and 6 January during cathedral opening times.
For more information, to write an online message or to donate online, please visit:
Safeguarding Adults Week 2022 takes place Monday 21- Sunday 27 November.
It’s an opportunity for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. The aim is to start vital conversations and share best practice, so we can all be better together.
The Ann Craft Trust have useful links and resources on their website
With winter creeping closer, a piping-hot bowl of homemade soup goes down particularly well.
It's interesting to recount that Egginton’s Church of St Wilfrid has been making a name for itself with it successful and highly regarded ‘Meet, Greet and Eat’ community lunches.
Starting in 2018, with a break for Covid, monthly lunches have become a popular and eagerly awaited social event, providing an opportunity for people to meet and make new friendships.
Gatherings of 45 to 50 persons are usual, eager to sample the 10 or more soups on offer and where second helpings are very much the norm!
Together with a roll and butter, glass of wine, and cake or fruit to finish, its hardly surprising that the word has spread to neighbouring villages too!
There is no entry fee and donations are invited on departure, raising around £4,000 a year.
Huge thanks rightfully go to the faithful team of helpers, who prepare the food, set up the church and wash up and clear away.
Such is their success that they have been awarded the Bishop of Derby’s “Certificate of Excellence”.
This initiative was the brain child of Chris and Kay Marples, resulting from a holiday at Porlock, in Somerset, where they witnessed a tragic suicide.
Having summoned help, they observed the emergency services handling the situation and were then required to make a police statement.
Understandably this experience was traumatic and, still somewhat in shock, they narrated their experience to a local shop assistant.
News got around and, when they attended Porlock’s soup lunch the following day, there was a whole lot of support and care shown for their wellbeing.
It was then that Kay hatched the plan with the churchwarden Pat Riley for monthly soup lunches in Egginton.
Not without its learning points, its now become a major success!
Important issues have been the availably of storage space in the church; creating space in the church for the setting up of tables; assembly of a committed team of helpers, and progressively accommodating a growing demand for places.
A very welcome breakthrough was a CVS grant of £750 for the purchase of soup bowls, water boiler, slow cookers, food thermometer and other things to replace some very tired equipment.
It also paid for certain helpers to obtain their Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate.
The St Wilfrid’s team would like to thank most warmly all those who have given their support to this venture, most particularly those who cook and serve each month.
